dgs Marketing Engineers Code of Ethics*

PREAMBLE

Professional Values

Principles of Conduct

Commitment and Compliance

This Code applies to all dgs employees. The Code is designed to be a useful guide for employees as they carry out their ethical responsibilities. This document is designed to anticipate and accommodate, by precedent, ethical challenges that may arise. The scenarios outlined in the Code provision are actual examples of misconduct. More will be added as experience with the Code occurs.

dgs Marketing Engineers is committed to ethical practices. The level of public trust our team members seek, as we serve the public good, means we have taken on a special obligation to operate ethically.

The value of our reputation depends upon the ethical conduct of everyone affiliated with dgs. Each of us sets an example for each other – as well as other professionals – by our pursuit of excellence with powerful standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

Ethical practice is the most important obligation of all dgs employees.

CORE PROVISIONS

This statement presents the core values of dgs and, more broadly, of our profession. These values are the fundamental beliefs that guide our behaviors and decision-making process. We believe our professional values are vital to the integrity of the profession as a whole.

LOYALTY

We are faithful to those we represent, while honoring our obligation to serve the public interest.

INDEPENDENCE

We provide objective counsel to those we represent. We are accountable for our actions.

FAIRNESS

We deal fairly with clients, employers, competitors, peers, vendors, the media, and the general public. We respect all opinions and support the right of free expression.

ADVOCACY

We serve the public interest by acting as responsible advocates for those we represent. We provide a voice in the marketplace of ideas, facts, and viewpoints to aid informed public debate.

HONESTY

We adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth in advancing the interests of those we represent and in communicating with the public.

EXPERTISE

We acquire and responsibly use specialized knowledge and experience. We advance the profession through continued professional development, research, and education. We build mutual understanding, credibility, and relationships among a wide array of institutions and audiences.

STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Protecting core principles and advancing the free flow of accurate and truthful information is essential to serving the public interest and contributing to informed decision making.

INTENT:

To maintain the integrity of relationships with the media, influencers and the public. To aid informed decision-making.

GUIDELINES:

dgs employees shall:

Preserve the integrity of the process of communication.

Be honest and accurate in all communications.

Act promptly to correct erroneous communications for which the employee is responsible.

Preserve the free flow of unprejudiced information when giving or receiving gifts by ensuring that gifts are nominal, legal, and infrequent according to agency policy.

COMPETITION

Promoting healthy and fair competition among professionals preserves an ethical climate while fostering a robust business environment.

INTENT:

To promote respect and fair competition among marketing communications professionals. To serve the public interest by providing the widest choice of practitioner options.

SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENCES

Our work and client trust requires appropriate protection of confidential and private information.

INTENT:

To protect the privacy rights of clients, organizations, and individuals by safeguarding confidential information.

GUIDELINES:

dgs employees shall:

Safeguard the confidences and privacy rights of present, former, and prospective clients and employees.

Protect privileged, confidential, or insider information gained from a client or organization.

Immediately advise a supervisor if an employee discovers that a colleague or client is divulging confidential information.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Avoiding real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest builds the trust of clients, employers, and the publics.

INTENT:

To earn trust and mutual respect with clients and employers. To build trust with the public by avoiding or ending situations that put one’s personal or professional interests in conflict with society’s interests.

GUIDELINES:

dgs employees shall:

Act in the best interests of the client or employer, even subordinating the employee’s personal interests.

Avoid actions and circumstances that may appear to compromise good business judgment or create a conflict between personal and professional interests.

Disclose promptly any existing or potential conflict of interest to affected clients or organizations.

Encourage clients and customers to determine if a conflict exists after notifying all affected parties.

ENHANCING THE PROFESSION

We work constantly to strengthen the public’s trust in the profession.

INTENT:

To build respect and credibility with the public for the profession of public relations. To improve, adapt and expand professional practices.

GUIDELINES:

dgs employees shall:

Acknowledge that there is an obligation to protect and enhance the profession.

Keep informed and educated about practices in the profession to ensure ethical conduct.

Actively pursue personal professional development.

Decline representation of clients or organizations that urge or require actions contrary to this Code.

Accurately define what marketing communications can accomplish.

Counsel subordinates in proper ethical decision-making.

Require that subordinates adhere to the ethical requirements of the Code.